Tales From The Brick

Episode 20 - Rob Klingberg (Brickstuff)

In Episode 20 of Tales From The Brick, Jon (8 Bit Bricks) is joined by Rob Klingberg, founder of Brickstuff, to explore the world of LEGO lighting, electronics, and the evolution of customization within the LEGO hobby. Rob shares how a lifelong fascination with electronics, model trains, and tinkering eventually led to creating Brickstuff after rediscovering LEGO through building modular sets with his kids. What started as experimenting with tiny wires and LEDs turned into one of the most respected lighting brands in the LEGO community. The conversation dives deep into the early days of LEGO lighting, the rise of the Maker Movement, Arduino microcontrollers, and how advances in DIY electronics helped make custom lighting more accessible for builders of all skill levels. Rob also discusses the philosophy behind Brickstuff’s products, from ultra-thin wiring and realistic lighting effects to custom sound modules, animated displays, and interactive features designed specifically for LEGO fans. Jon and Rob also talk about the growth of the AFOL community, the explosion of third-party LEGO accessories, the role of BrickLink in enabling creativity, and the balance between purist building and customization. Along the way, they discuss conventions, illuminated MOCs, LEGO trains, Minecraft, Halo, lighting giant UCS sets, and what the future of connected LEGO displays could look like.   📍 Find Rob Klingberg and Brickstuff: • Website: brickstuff.com [https://brickstuff.com] • Instagram: @brickstuff • YouTube: @brickstuff • Facebook: Brickstuff LEGO Lighting   To find the best LEGO deals, check out the Bargain Bricks app [https://bargain-bricks.com]  Until next time… play well.

Episode 19 Dave Schefcik (BrickNerd)

In Episode 19 of Tales From The Brick, Jon (8 Bit Bricks) is joined by Dave Schefcik, the Nerd-in-Chief behind BrickNerd and a longtime voice in the LEGO fan community. Dave shares his journey from building imaginative worlds as a kid to rediscovering LEGO later in life through an unexpected office project that turned his workspace into a full blown “LEGOLAND Microsoft.” What started as a creative outlet quickly became something bigger, pulling him into LUGs, conventions, and the wider LEGO community. The episode explores how conventions shaped Dave’s path, from early experiences feeling out of place at LUG meetings to becoming a major contributor behind the scenes at events like BrickCon. He talks about LEGO as a shared language that connects builders across styles and skill levels, from mosaics to Great Ball Contraptions, and how collaboration drives creativity. Dave also dives into his work in LEGO fan media, including time with The Brothers Brick and eventually leading BrickNerd. He shares the philosophy behind the platform, focusing on storytelling, community voices, and content that goes beyond just new set releases. 📍  Find Dave Schefcik: • BrickNerd: bricknerd.com [https://bricknerd.com] To find the best LEGO deals, check out the Bargain Bricks [https://bargain-bricks.com] app Until next time… play well.

Episode 18 - Jeff Sanders (Brick Bending)

In Episode 18 of Tales From The Brick, Jon (8 Bit Bricks) is joined by Jeff Sanders aka  Brick Bending, the mastermind behind some of the most mind-bending LEGO geometry on the internet. Jeff shares how a simple moment building with his kids led to a lifelong obsession with pushing LEGO beyond its intended limits, discovering that even basic bricks can curve, flex, and create stunning geometric art when approached with a mathematician’s mindset. The conversation dives deep into Jeff’s creative process, from early experiments with circles and intersecting shapes to massive installations made from tens of thousands of bricks. He also talks about exhibiting his work, from local museums to large-scale international showcases, and the surprising connection between his designs and traditional geometric art. Jeff also breaks down his journey into content creation - how years of trial and error across YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok led to viral success, and why storytelling, presentation, and even a bit of controversy play a role in getting people to see LEGO in a completely new way. 📍 Find Jeff Sanders (Brick Bending): • YouTube / Instagram / Facebook / Patreon: @brickbending • Website: brickbending.com To find the best LEGO deals, check out the Bargain Bricks [https://bargain-bricks.com] app Until next time… play well.

Episode 17 - Chris Giddens (Fazoom)

On Episode 17 of Tales From The Brick, Jon (8 Bit Bricks) is joined by Chris Giddens aka Fazoom, one of the original AFOL pioneers. Chris is the co-creator of Old Grey Bricks and a LEGO Factory designer. He joins Jon for a deep dive into the early days of the LEGO fan community. Chris shares what it was like building in an era before social media, helping shape one of the first online LEGO communities, and eventually designing official sets during the experimental LEGO Factory program, offering a rare look at a unique chapter in LEGO history. The conversation also takes a powerful turn as Chris opens up about his battle with cancer and how LEGO became more than just a hobby - it became a source of focus, therapy, and resilience during one of the most challenging times of his life. 📍 Find Chris “Fazoom” Giddens: • Old Grey Bricks: Old Grey Bricks on YouTube • Instagram: @fazoom To find the best LEGO deals, check out the Bargain Bricks [https://bargain-bricks.com] app Until next time… play well.

Episode 16 - Cody Ottley

In Episode 16 of Tales From The Brick, Jon (8 Bit Bricks) is joined by Cody Ottley, the driving force behind the Bearded Builders Guild, BBG Forge, and the ever-growing BrickSlopes LEGO Fan Convention. Cody shares how a simple road trip conversation turned into launching one of North America’s fastest-growing LEGO conventions—expanding from a small group of ~80 AFOLs to a massive multi-day event with hundreds of builders, tens of thousands of square feet of displays, and a reputation for unmatched swag and community energy. The episode dives deep into the world of custom LEGO printing through BBG Forge—how Cody creates minifigs using only official LEGO parts, the philosophy behind “LEGO-ized” designs, and why they intentionally avoid competing with official releases by focusing on what LEGO hasn’t made yet. You’ll also get a behind-the-scenes look at what it really takes to run a convention at scale—from bulk LEGO orders and insane giveaways to faction-based themes, secret builds, and organizing chaos that somehow turns into an unforgettable experience. Plus, Cody breaks down the origins (and rules) of the Bearded Builders Guild—a LEGO “club” that’s part community, part inside joke, and fully embedded in convention culture. 📍 Find Cody Otley: • Instagram: @codio0937 • TikTok: @codio0937 • BBG Forge: BBG Forge [https://bbgforge.com/] • Bearded Builders Guild: Bearded Builders Guild [https://www.instagram.com/bearded_builders_guild/] • BrickSlopes: BrickSlopes LEGO Fan Convention [https://brickslopes.com/] To find the best LEGO deals, check out the Bargain Bricks [https://bargain-bricks.com] app Until next time… play well.